Officiating Will be Tighter

[Dabura 12,232]

To take the non-conspiracy approach: my general impression is that people are generally disappointed with the way this series has been played so far (e.g., tight-checking, garbage goals, not enough finesse). I know LeBrun over at ESPN wrote a scathing "review" of game 1...

[Ladsud2002 0]

10 minutes of PP time for the Pens, id say 6 for Wings.

[titanium2 867]

To take the non-conspiracy approach: my general impression is that people are generally disappointed with the way this series has been played so far (e.g., tight-checking, garbage goals, not enough finesse). I know LeBrun over at ESPN wrote a scathing "review" of game 1...

Is he the ultra Pens-homer? Or is that Burnside?

[Dabura 12,232]

Bitching does not help at all

To be honest, neither does cheering the Wings on.

Not from a computer, at least.

Edited June 2, 2009 by Dabura

[Dabura 12,232]

Is he the ultra Pens-homer? Or is that Burnside?

Haha, I don't even know. Burnside is good except when he's talking about the Penguins. Although he just wrote an article on how the Pens are pretty much toast, so he's not stubborn.

[Teno 4]

I heard on Sportsnet that that the league was unhappy with the officiating standard in games 1 and 2 and rules will be enforced more strictly tonight.

So....I have a few thoughts on this:

Either change the rules or keep the existing rules, but whatever you do, if you call the rules black and white, there should be no controversy or complaining. Sure, a call is going to be missed here and there simply because the refs can't see everything, but there should be very little judgment involved in make calls when you have a rulebook to follow.

- In a similar vien, the Malkin incident at the end of game 2. I understand the rule about getting suspended (as it is written) and I understand what is also written about the NHL being able to review and make judgments after the fact, but I think this is just silly.

Right on. It makes no sense to have instigator rules and "last five minute" rules, if you're going to overrule them 75% of the time (or more) anyway. The NHL has had to violate their own written rules at least three times now, to avoid suspending players from opposing teams who started fights AFTER the game (or within the last 20 seconds). Either enforce the rule, or scrap it.

I think one solution would be to allow penalties to carry over in playoff series. It's the same teams in the same series. That would put an end to teams amassing 40 minutes of penalty time (including game misconducts) at 20:00 of the 3rd period, and nobody having to serve one second for the infractions.

We lost a key player for almost an entire game on a very questionable game misconduct call, but Anaheim, Chicago, and now Pittsburgh have amassed over an hour of penalty minutes, on undisputable infractions, and the most that was served was 18 seconds.

[Snazzy 0]

If NHL want's the officials to follow the rules more 'tightly', then why did NHL reject the rules on Malkins' blatant suspension? They are already setting the tone for game 3 and it's disgusting.

[egroen 384]

What clearly needs to happen is every play and call needs to be personally reviewed by Gary Bettman and given his thumbs up or thumbs down.

[jollymania 162]

this is jsut a headshaker coming from the nhl, just fire that damn ******* bettman already pleease

[BewareThePenguin 1]

The Wings have gotten away with a ton of subtle interference and obstruction. Before you go throwing hissy fits, don't take my word for it. Listen to the announcers from Sunday Night's game, or do a little look-see at some other fans (besides the Pens) sites, where they're saying the same thing. People have noticed.

I'd expect the officials to start calling more of those. That might include some on the Pens by the way.

And again, please... with the conspiracy talk. If there was some conspiracy, they'd have definitely busted Zetterberg, right or wrong. The Pens won't win or lose due to the refs. Neither will the Wings.

[AtomicPunk 296]

I thought games 1 and 2 were called very well. Not too much of that ticky-tack, where is the penalty, I can't see it on the replay BS. LET THEM PLAY.

[talex 1]

The Wings have gotten away with a ton of subtle interference and obstruction. Before you go throwing hissy fits, don't take my word for it. Listen to the announcers from Sunday Night's game, or do a little look-see at some other fans (besides the Pens) sites, where they're saying the same thing. People have noticed.

I'd expect the officials to start calling more of those. That might include some on the Pens by the way.

And again, please... with the conspiracy talk. If there was some conspiracy, they'd have definitely busted Zetterberg, right or wrong. The Pens won't win or lose due to the refs. Neither will the Wings.

Like Malkins on Kronwall? Or Sids head shot on Z? or the many such plays? I mean this talk of interferance is getting old, all teams do it and other things, the pens have gotten away with a ton of crap to, watch Abdelkaders 1st goal and look at the shot to the head that was attempted on him.

I am fine by a evenly called game, however to try and say the calling has not been more or less even thus far would be a stretch at best.

[BewareThePenguin 1]

Like Malkins on Kronwall? Or Sids head shot on Z? or the many such plays? I mean this talk of interferance is getting old, all teams do it and other things, the pens have gotten away with a ton of crap to, watch Abdelkaders 1st goal and look at the shot to the head that was attempted on him.

I am fine by a evenly called game, however to try and say the calling has not been more or less even thus far would be a stretch at best.

I'm with you all the way.

The problem I have is the people here already setting up an excuse in case the Pens win tonight: "see I told you the league would jump in on their side!"

Would you also have a problem with anyone here pulling this stunt?

Just wondering.

[edicius 3,269]

Huh. Maybe Malkin will actually get suspended this time. And Sid will get called for elbowing, cross-checking, etc.

And maybe Burger King will come out with a zero-calorie Whopper.

[Snazzy 0]

The Wings have gotten away with a ton of subtle interference and obstruction. Before you go throwing hissy fits, don't take my word for it. Listen to the announcers from Sunday Night's game, or do a little look-see at some other fans (besides the Pens) sites, where they're saying the same thing. People have noticed.

I'd expect the officials to start calling more of those. That might include some on the Pens by the way.

And again, please... with the conspiracy talk. If there was some conspiracy, they'd have definitely busted Zetterberg, right or wrong. The Pens won't win or lose due to the refs. Neither will the Wings.

You really need to stop dwelling on Zetterberg. I know you're frustrated that he owns Crosby time-and-time again, but you really need to understand that worse calls were let go than Zetterberg covering the puck on Ozzies back. *IF* the refs even saw that play in the scrum, the rules are still conflicting because the puck wasn't even on ice.

I think the cheap shot taken on Hossa at center ice was much more obvious than a scrum in the net. Get over it. Your team played well... just not well enough, you need to stop crying about the refs and look at your own teams incompetence.

[BewareThePenguin 1]

You really need to stop dwelling on Zetterberg. I know you're frustrated that he owns Crosby time-and-time again, but you really need to understand that worse calls were let go than Zetterberg covering the puck on Ozzies back. *IF* the refs even saw that play in the scrum, the rules are still conflicting because the puck wasn't even on ice.

I think the cheap shot taken on Hossa at center ice was much more obvious than a scrum in the net. Get over it. Your team played well... just not well enough, you need to stop crying about the refs and look at your own teams incompetence.

You need to start understanding my point. All I'm saying is that IF there was some conspiracy, then they WOULD have busted on Zetterberg -- that was one of the most ref-interpretable situations around. They EASILY could have nailed him for it, right or wrong. Get it?

And we're talking interference now -- which Detroit's gotten away with. I'm not saying it's the reason the Pens lost, just that they have gotten away it. There were definite things that could've been called, that didn't get called -- more proof that there isn't some conspiracy.

[Nightfall 871]

I thought games 1 and 2 were called very well. Not too much of that ticky-tack, where is the penalty, I can't see it on the replay BS. LET THEM PLAY.

I have to agree here. Yes, as a wings fan, there were times I yelled for a penalty. As a hockey fan though, I could see penalties called against the wings that were never called. Invite some friends who root for the other team over to watch the game with you sometime. If you get fans from both sides in the same room, you will hear nothing but "where's the penalty" 20 times a period.

The game has changed over where it was back in the mid 90s. I remember in 1995 when the Devils won the cup and it was nothing but a clutch and grab fest. I got fed up with the interference that I saw in the NHL about a year before the lockout. Today, we don't have any of that clutch and grab stuff. Today, the fans complain about the hooks and interference, but it was nowhere near the level as where it was back in the 90s.

The refs have done a great job in the finals so far. Only the blatant stuff is getting called and I like it. The Wings fans like to complain about interference on various members of their team, but none of the Wings fans want to acknowledge the little bits of interference they are using on the Pens. The little stuff is not being called which means more 5 on 5 time. If they are going to call the game like that, then I approve.

If they are going to tighten it up a bit and call the little things, I say thats great. Let the players know and each team will get 5-7 power plays instead of the 2-3 power plays they have had in the last two games. So long as they call the game fairly, something the refs have done very well.

There is no conspiracy here Wings fans. If you honestly believe that, you are biased, dumb, or most likely both.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

F**k the NHL.

Those first 2 games are exactly what the Cup Finals should be about. Up and down action, 5 on 5 play, and minimal whistles to interrupt the flow and speed of the game.

I guess it only made sense that the league wanted to worsen all that.

Of course this favors the Pens, because our great 5 on 5 team defense can't do much if Crosby and Malkin have more room on the ice for the PP.

It'd be nice if our PK didn't suck all year, but fact is that it does.

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

Those first 2 games are exactly what the Cup Finals should be about. Up and down action, 5 on 5 play, and minimal whistles to interrupt the flow and speed of the game.

Exactly. But less PPs somehow favors the Wings because the Pens would actually have to win 5 - 5.

If they really wanted to be consistent than Malkin wouldn't be playing tonight. Don't bend the rules to keep him in the game, then turn around and bend them the other way once his suspension was rescinded.

I expect the Wings to have to beat the Pens and the Refs in Pitt - just like last year.....

[egroen 384]

Malkin and Crosby were getting about 4 extra minutes of 5 on 5 ice time - whereas that time is usually put towards the PP where they do a lot of their producing.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

they wont call too many more penalties. maybe at the start but at the game progresses it'll go back to normal.

[BewareThePenguin 1]

I'm as curious as you guys to see how this goes tonight. Mainly to see Malkin and Crosby get to play when they're not so obstructed.

You know, the way Gretzky and Lemieux said the game should be played.

[stevie for president 42]

game 3 vs. washington after going down 2-0 in the series

Penalty Summary

1st Period

Pittsburgh interference - 2 min 9:38, S. Gonchar

Washington interference - 2 min 12:47, M. Nylander

Washington delay of game - 2 min 19:34, M. Jurcina

2nd Period

Washington slashing - 2 min 10:05, M. Green

Washington slashing - 2 min 19:16, S. Varlamov served by V. Kozlov

3rd Period

Washington interference - 2 min 4:54, A. Ovechkin

Washington hooking - 2 min 14:10, A. Semin

Pittsburgh interference - 2 min 17:32, P. Dupuis

OT Period

Washington delay of game - 2 min 2:15, B. Pothier

[Snazzy 0]

I'm as curious as you guys to see how this goes tonight. Mainly to see Malkin and Crosby get to play when they're not so obstructed.

You know, the way Gretzky and Lemieux said the game should be played.

Depending on your interpretation of "obstruction". That word was over used last year by Therrien, and is overrated.

If "obstruction" is claiming the ice, then I doubt see it called. If your forward is skating and our defenseman is skating in front of him, it's NOT your forwards ICE. If you're forward wants it, he either needs to skate through our defenseman or go around him. I think it's hilarious that you guys think the ice belongs to your forwards... what do you want, our defenseman to say "Oh, pardon me... I'll go ahead and move out of your way so you can have a good scoring chance"? Do you want us to score your goals for you too... Like game 2? C'mon man. Stop crying!

Edited June 2, 2009 by Snazzy

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

I'm as curious as you guys to see how this goes tonight. Mainly to see Malkin and Crosby get to play when they're not so obstructed.

You know, the way Gretzky and Lemieux said the game should be played.

are you gonna keep whining? maybe that awesome coach dan bylsma should have looked at game tape from last year to get them ready for it.